Emergency numbers to remember

Pat Arnold, 395-2233

greenpastures@gorge.net

Maxine Bulick, 395-2101

Maxine@gorge.net

Sarah Burr Arnold, 395-2669

sba_352@gorge.net

The Crofton Fire brought to mind that there are a few emergency numbers that it might be useful to have in your address book, phone list or whatever listing system is used.

If a fire is spotted burning in the national forest call the ranger station at 395-3402. If the Ranger Station is closed call either 360-891-5140, which is manned from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. during fire season, roughly June through October, or 1-800-387-6806. If no one answers leave a message, the messages are checked frequently.

If a fire is burning on state land call 1-800-562-6010 and follow the directions. If a fire is burning anywhere else just dial 911.

Also, if illegal hunting is observed call the Washington State poaching hot line at 1-800-477-6224.

Saturday, Sept. 19, there will be the Huckleberry Hound and Woofles Barkfest from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Grange. This fundraising breakfast features pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage and coffee. It will cost $5, $4 for seniors. Children under 5 admitted free. The money raised will benefit Dogs of the Gorge. Last year the food was quite tasty.

It is over for another year! The Community Foundation Gigantic Yard Sale, 2009 edition, has passed into history. Despite the awful weather the sale raised $14,000 quite good considering the hazards of shopping in the rain. The sale required the continuous efforts of the eight board members, the help of 150 community volunteers, many first time volunteers (the board really appreciates their help and hopes they return to help next year), the outstanding efforts of 16 soccer players who hauled boxes and furniture for many long hours, the dedication of 16 volleyball players who unpacked and hung clothing also for many long hours and the efforts of Mrs. McKinney's fifth and sixth graders who with much enthusiasm helped with empty box removal and recycling.

Special thanks to Eula Smith who single handedly sorts and prices all the donated books, and sorts, launders, and packs all of the clothing donated. Either of these would be very time consuming but Eula does them both. What an amazing amount of work to take on. Thanks, Eula.

And again thanks to Bettina for allowing the sale to use her yard, what a nice central location.

Whirling through out all of the sorting, setting up and selling activity was Page Logan who seems to have no life other than the sale for months on end. What wonderful dedication to the welfare of the kids of Trout Lake. Thanks Page.

Many thanks also to all the people who donated items to the sale, keep them coming next year but not until after Jan. 1, they need a break. See you at the 2010 sequel.

The newswriters would love to include information about your events in the column but we require a two week lead time. It is distressing to receive information about a really interesting event too late to get it in the column. Please send us the information as early as you can. The contact information is given at the top of the column, e-mail or call any or all of us. At the moment we have only three writers which means that one paper a month is without a column. It is not difficult or especially time consuming to write a column and we are hoping that another person volunteers soon. If you would like to be part of this effort to keep the community informed, call Pat or Maxine. We really need another writer.